Career Center

Summary

The Mental Health (MH) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) functions at the highest level of clinical practice and works independently under their individual scope of practice to directly care for patients and may be assigned to Mental Health Outpatient Clinic - PCMHI - or DRRTP. The primary responsibility of the CPS is the provision of evidence-based pharmaceutical care services through direct care with patients and consultation with other providers on their team.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education: Graduate of an accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy degree
• Licensure: Full - current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State - Territory - Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia
• The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full - current - and unrestricted licensure
• A pharmacist who has - or has ever had - an license(s)revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - section B - paragraph 16
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the GS-12 requirements - must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions
• Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area
• Ability to solve problems - coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise
• Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy
• Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies - including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters
• Preferred Experience: PGY-1 Residency +/- PGY-2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency
• BCPP or BCPS qualified
• DEA holder or eligible
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g. - use of a computer keyboard - etc.)
• May require sitting - walking - or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours)
• Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively
• must have the visual ability to distinguish between basic colors and shades of color
• Performs tasks requiring rapid mental and muscular coordination functions simultaneously is necessary
• Must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used for the job.

Duties

• **Will be expected to travel to between Canandaigua and Rochester Mental Health Clinics** VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Clinical- Direct Patient Care Activities that require a scope of practice Core functions include patient encounters (face to face - telehealth) for comprehensive medication management (CMM) of in practice areas identified in their individual scope of practice Function as a mid-level provider to design - implement - and monitor therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas
• Orders - performs - reviews - and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient's drug therapy
• Follows-up with patients on lab or test results to discuss the plan of therapy including changes in medication therapy - referral to primary care or specialty provider
• Follows-up with patients on lab or test results to discuss the plan of therapy - i.e
• changes in medication therapy - monitoring - and additional testing requirements
• The CPS solves potential problems by determining if a referral to a higher level of care is necessary when disease progression occurs - or adverse drug events require treatment interventions
• The CPS will communicate findings in multiple ways with prescribers and provide appropriate alternatives to current treatment - which impact clinical and management decisions
• Clinical- Indirect Patient Care Activities Identify patients who may benefit from CMM through population management reports and during team huddles Review patient medication patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness - drug selection - dosing - contraindications - side effects - potential drug interactions and therapeutic outcomes
• Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed
• Obtains medication histories from patients and summarizes significant findings in the medical record
• Identifies patient-specific medication issues - including drug interactions - adverse effects - lack of effectiveness - appropriateness - and compliance problems
• Applies knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care and recognizes significant abnormalities
• Interfaces with providers - including physicians - PAs - ARNPs in the design of the veteran's treatment regimen to achieve optimization of rational and cost-effective drug therapy
• Education Participates in the training and in-servicing of pharmacists - pharmacy technicians - pharmacy students - pharmacy residents and other staff on assigned teams
• Using both written and verbal communication techniques in teaching others
• The CPS may serve as preceptor for pharmacy students and pharmacy residents in accordance with established protocols
• Assist in new employee orientation - competency assessments and mentoring as required
• Drug Information Serves as an authority on drug usage - interactions - over-dosages - and compliance - to medical staff - nursing staff - pharmacy technicians and students
• Uses appropriate references to research drug information
• Uses information resources - both written and electronic - including regulatory and quality standards for influencing clinical and management decisions
• Maintains a current understanding of therapeutics and disease management
• The CPS will provide timely and accurate responses to drug information inquiries from all customers
• The CPS will be able to effectively instruct patients and family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devices and will be able to adjust communication and tracking methods based on age and developmental considerations
• The CPS is able to accurately assess and document patient comprehension and refer patients to educational programs provided at the medical center by multidisciplinary teams when indicated
• Program Management Serves on medical center and/or VISN committees as requested
• Assists in the development of proposals for improved and/or new clinical pharmacy services when requested
• He/she will establish productive - collaborative relationships with staff members inside and outside the department
• Coordinates and organizes all duties and adheres to all medical center and department policies and regulations
• Completes all mandatory training programs and competency/skills assessments required by the agency in the stipulated time period
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: 730-1600 Monday-Friday Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 24623-F Financial Disclosure Report: Not required